JOB DESCRIPTION

The role of the professional clinical nurse is unique and essential to the care of the patient. The nurse demonstrates that unique and essential function through the framework for nursing practice. Advocate: Practices in accordance with the patient centered care model. Develops an individualized age-specific culturally sensitive nursing plan of care for the patient that is based on the nursing process. Incorporates the role of patient advocate into the plan of care. Uses a team approach to develop and achieve daily patient-centered individualized care goals. Acknowledges and values the contributions of the patients significant others as an integral part of the plan of care. Identifies potential conflict situations and facilitates resolution using established communication channels. Promotes and strives to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient. Protects patients by maintaining a safe environment.

Clinical Expert: Advances clinical expertise, as demonstrated through pursuit of informal and formal continuing education opportunities and obtaining specialty certification when eligible. Continuously enhances skills and abilities to ensure the highest quality patient care. Shares knowledge and expertise through educating team members, patients and students. Demonstrates critical thinking by integrating theoretical knowledge and expertise to pose relevant clinical questions when evidence and practice differ. Identifies priorities, sets realistic and measureable goals, prescribes and implements nursing interventions in a safe and timely manner. Develops and implements individualized education plans for patients and families using suitable instructional materials and methods. Evaluates and documents the patients responses to nursing interventions in the health record and properly individualizes the plan of care based on the evaluation of findings. Identifies situations that require further intervention and escalates appropriately, Consults appropriate experts and resources when needed. Participates in the formation, implementation and evaluation of team goals. Appropriately delegates and supervises interventions to implement the plan of care. Conveys complete, timely and accurate information at hand off at the bedside or any hand off. Adheres to ethical standards of practice.

Community Volunteer: Participates in one or more volunteer initiatives annually, Northwestern Memorial organized or on his/her own. Compassionate: Consistently demonstrates interpersonal connections with patients and families from introduction through discharge. Proactively responds to patient concerns such as speaking to patients about possible/expected delays in plan of care. Treats patients, families, visitors and staff in a caring manner with respect and dignity. Facilities recovery and where appropriate helps ensure a peaceful death for patients.

Professionally Engaged: Is a member of a professional organization or participates on a Northwestern Memorial committee or taskforce at the hospital-wide, departmental, or unit level. Demonstrates accountability and collaborative practice with co-workers, other disciplines, and departments. Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth and education reflecting knowledge and understanding of current nursing practice. Serves as a community mentor for team members. Serves as a preceptor for new team members. Participates in the peer feedback process by conducting a constructive assessment and evaluation of peer performance. Works collaboratively with all hospital services to accomplish daily work and maintain an environment of excellence. Participates in the development of policies, procedures and systems to support safe and effective care and advance nursing practice at NMH through the Shared Leadership Process. Assumes personal responsibility for meeting internal (i.e. Best People profile, ELMs, CPR, and health requirements) and external regulatory and accreditation requirements. Identifies opportunities for innovation and quality improvement, participates in innovation projects and the quality improvement process, including unit based quality committees. Demonstrates accountability to Northwestern Memorial strategic, operational and fiscal goals. Exemplifies a professional image in appearance and communications. Maintains and advances the professional image of nursing and the practice of professional nursing through an ongoing analysis of resources. Professional Organizations, literature, electronic resources, etc. AA/EOE Required: